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[Broomies Mate]

Last time I went to the States (2 years ago), I just had to visually identify my luggage, and it was taken to my connecting flight.

That was in Newark, connecting to Dallas Fort Worth.

Before 9/11, luggage used to be shipped straight to the connecting flight.  I dont see the point in making you identify it.  Nobody but trusted 'Air Side' staff can get to it after you have checked it in from your departure airport.

But who is to say these "trusted air side" staff can actually be trusted and not infiltrated by terrorists? :-/ :-/ 

The USA  authorities for one do not trust European 'security' surrounding aircraft loading.  Too many attacks, or attempted attacks on American aircraft have been initiated from Europe, and therefore the US wants a chance to check for themselves all people and their luguage going forward onto their domestic flights.

I understand that, but it's a pointless exercise reclaiming your baggage then checking it back in.  Once collected, you dont open your bags, unpack then repack to make sure nobody has put a bomb in there.

Whats the difference in me carrying my bag or a computer controlled conveyor belt system handling it? (apart from its an inconvenience for me)

Waste of time, effort and resources. 

[Gaffers]

Last time I went to the States (2 years ago), I just had to visually identify my luggage, and it was taken to my connecting flight.

That was in Newark, connecting to Dallas Fort Worth.

Before 9/11, luggage used to be shipped straight to the connecting flight.  I dont see the point in making you identify it.  Nobody but trusted 'Air Side' staff can get to it after you have checked it in from your departure airport.

But who is to say these "trusted air side" staff can actually be trusted and not infiltrated by terrorists? :-/ :-/ 

The USA  authorities for one do not trust European 'security' surrounding aircraft loading.  Too many attacks, or attempted attacks on American aircraft have been initiated from Europe, and therefore the US wants a chance to check for themselves all people and their luguage going forward onto their domestic flights.

I understand that, but it's a pointless exercise reclaiming your baggage then checking it back in.  Once collected, you dont open your bags, unpack then repack to make sure nobody has put a bomb in there.

Whats the difference in me carrying my bag or a computer controlled conveyor belt system handling it? (apart from its an inconvenience for me)

Waste of time, effort and resources. 

It's all about 2 words; trust and reassurance.

Trust. US authorities quite rightly consider standards in other countries to be poor so before the luggage screened in america is mixed with that screened in countries where levels of security are lax it has to be scanned again.  The easiest way is to get people to recheck-in.  It also allows for passengers to be rescreened and go through checks for immigration/police.

Reassurance.  Follows on from above.  Americans are suspicious of standards in other countries and many would not be happy flying in a plane with baggage that was not screened when entering the US.